Depo-Provera effect on bones varies throughout skeleton
Long-term use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA, Depo-Provera) appears to be associated with decreased bone density at the lumbar spine and hip, but not at the forearm, according to initial results of an ongoing trial.
DMPA is known to lower oestrogen levels but this result challenges the
hypothesis that its effects on the skeleton are mediated purely by this
route, Dr Jennifer Walsh of the bone metabolism group at the University
of Sheffield says. She suggests that DMPA as a progestogen may have a
protective effect on the forearm.
The researchers measured the bone density at the lumbar spine, hip and
forearm of 58 women who had been using DMPA for at least one year. They
comment that measurement of bone density at the forearm alone may be
falsely reassuring in the study of the effect of long-term use of DMPA.
Dr Walsh told The Journal that the reduced bone densities were still
within the normal range, but at the lower end of the range. She said
that this is ongoing work and that she would not advise anybody to stop
using DMPA.
The research is funded by the Arthritis
Research Campaign. |
